ADHD or Anxiety? Understanding the Overlap—and When to Seek Help
You forget what you were just saying mid-sentence.
You bounce between tabs, tasks, or rooms—without finishing any of them.
You lie awake at night replaying things you said, or didn’t say.
Is it ADHD?
Is it anxiety?
Could it be both?
You're not imagining it—ADHD and anxiety often overlap, and untangling the symptoms can feel confusing. But understanding the difference matters, because the right support starts with clarity.
How ADHD and Anxiety Overlap
Many adults with ADHD go undiagnosed for years because their symptoms are masked by stress, high achievement, or internalized pressure.
Meanwhile, anxiety—especially high-functioning anxiety—can create patterns that look like ADHD:
ADHD Symptoms:
Trouble concentrating
Procrastination
Fidgeting/restlessness
Forgetfulness
Time blindness
Symptoms Often Shared With Anxiety:
Avoidance from fear of failure
Nervous system hyperarousal
Overwhelm + cognitive fatigue
Racing or intrusive thoughts
Hyperfocus on perfection or fear
You might be chronically overwhelmed, burned out, and unsure what’s wrong—just trying to keep it all together while feeling like something’s off.
ADHD, Anxiety… or Trauma?
Another layer to this picture: trauma.
Trauma can mimic or amplify symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety—making it even harder to sort out what’s at the root.
That’s why psychiatric care that’s trauma-informed and person-centered is essential.m! There’s no one-size-fits-all diagnosis. There’s you—with a full story that deserves to be heard.
How Medication Management Can Help
Whether your symptoms stem from ADHD, anxiety, or both, you don’t have to “try harder.”
You may just need better support.
At Rooted in Serenity Behavioral Health, we provide:
Gentle, trauma-informed medication management
Evaluations for ADHD, anxiety, and related symptoms
A compassionate space to untangle your experience—without shame or pressure
Healing starts with clarity. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
📍 Telehealth psychiatric care for adults across Connecticut
💚 Rooted in Serenity Behavioral Health
👉 START HERE 👈
